See William Johnstone's obituary in the Illustrated Tasmanian News, May 1874. He was born in England and left Somerset for Van Diemen's Land in 1841. He set up in business the following year in Launceston, which had been founded in 1806, and is said to be the third oldest colonial settlement in Australia, after Sydney and Hobart..As the years proceeded he prospered spectacularly, and by the time of his death he was so highly esteemed, that 'many places of business had the front windows partially closed while the shipping in port and the Town Hall had the Union Jack hoisted at half mast'.

1p., 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged, stapled to the carbon of the letter from Samson to which it is replying. On his return from holiday he states: 'I shall be very happy to take the chair for Sir Rex Cohen, Chairman of Selfridges, when he reads a paper on modern retail trading to the Society on Wednesday, January 13th.'

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly-aged. 'Sir F Palgrave' in another hand at the head. Reads: 'My dear Sir | I enclose a note for Hooker but not knowing your particular object it is rather vague | Yrs truly | F. Palgrave'.

Sir Francis Palgrave [formerly Cohen] (1788-1861), English archivist and historian of Jewish descent, Deputy Keeper of the Public Records, 1838-61; his son Sir Robert Harry Inglis Palgrave (1827-1919)

Publication details:

'Rolls [Rolls House, Chancery Lane] - | 15 June [no year]'.

£56.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Palgrave begins: 'My dear Inglis/ | I have had such avalanches [last word underlined] of business - and most of a confidential nature - that I have really been unable to write to you. By confidential business I mean business of a class which I cannot open to mhy clerks - and what must be either copied by my own hands or at home - If it had not been for Fanny Brown in addition to her sister I do not know what I should have done'.

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. Addressed, on reverse of second leaf, to 'Francis Cohen Esq | King's Bench Walk | Temple | London'. Fair, on aged paper, with the narrow remains of a paper windowpane mount around the edges of the second leaf. Milman begins: 'I found Garbett so much occupied that until yesterday I have not had an opportunity of seeing him'. Garbett has promised to send Milman 'a detailed answer' to all of Cohen's questions, 'and is very much flattered by your favorable opinion'.

4to, 2 pp. Good, on lightly-aged and worn paper. Thirty-seven lines of text. He finds himself 'very much in accord' with the views expressed by Walters in his address on 'The New Religion'. His 'chief difference' is 'a dislike to the use of the word "Religion." It has, to me, associations that are certain to rob it of all good.' As a 'working term', in Cohen's view, it lacks 'satisfactory power'. 'However, the great thing seems to me to keep churches & individuals on the move.

On piece of grey wove paper cut into a rough rectangle, 5 x 8 cm. Good, but with light traces of glue from previous mounting on reverse. Reads '<...> | I have honour to remain | Dear Sir | Yr obt. & hble. Servt | F. Palgrave', with the flourish to the 't' of 'Servt' forming the top horizontal stroke to the 'F.' in Palgrave's signature. Reverse reads '<...> | In conformity <...> | my letter to you <...> | July last, I requir<...> | my name may be <...>'.

8vo, 1 page. Somewhat grubby; laid down on leaf removed from autograph album. Thanks him for his letter respecting the Goethe Centenary Festival. 'I shall be very glad to see you about March 11th. I am going away tomorrow for a short cruise, and will not be back until about that time. If you will get into touch with me then, I can arrange to see you.' Slightly smudged signature in green ink.